Director, NG9X4 Vehicle Operations

Job description

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of Blue Origin's Launch Operations organization, where our focus is launching and recovering New Glenn safely, reliably, and at an ever-increasing cadence. Launch Operations owns everything required to turn a rocket into a flight-ready vehicle on the pad and to recover and refly it, from vehicle preparation and integration to pad operations and booster recovery. The 9x4 is the next step for New Glenn: a larger, more capable vehicle with a nine-engine booster, built, stacked, and launched vertically. The design decisions made about it now will determine, for the life of the program, how fast, how safely, and how reliably we can assemble, stack, and launch it. As Director of NG9x4 Vehicle Operations, you will be the single leader thinking about the 9x4 from the point of view of the people who will operate it, and the voice of Launch Operations in every decision meeting about the vehicle. Reporting to the Vice President of Launch Operations, you will start with a team of about a dozen engineers. Together you will evaluate the vehicle design and the concept of operations and shape both, help define and install the tooling and facilities in our new vertical integration facility, and write the first draft of the work orders for final assembly of the booster and for everything it takes to get the rocket to launch. Some of your scope will also reach the new launch pad being built for this vehicle. If you are successful, you will go on to build the organization that staffs the vertical integration facility and builds and stacks the first 9x4. This is a mission-critical leadership role for Blue Origin. We need a leader who drives relentlessly toward results, unencumbered by the old way of doing things, and constantly inventing new ways to solve problems and perform our mission. This leader must not be afraid to get hands-on with engineers and technicians, on the tooling, in the facility, and eventually on the vehicle itself, when the mission requires it, including in the middle of the night. At the same time, your long-term measure of success is building in, from the start, a vehicle and a set of processes that let the Launch Operations teams assemble, stack, and launch at a fast, repeatable, "boring" cadence. You'll make the impossible look routine through detailed, quantitative, hands-on command of the work your team executes down to the individual work order. WHAT YOU'LL DO Be the Voice of Operations on the 9x4 Represent Launch Operations in all design, configuration, and readiness decisions for the vehicle, bringing the perspective of the people who will assemble, stack, and launch it Evaluate the vehicle design and challenge requirements, driving design changes that make final assembly of the booster, stacking, and launch easier, faster, and safer Bring the lessons learned from today's horizontal integration operations into the design of vertical operations, and question which of them still apply Partner with vehicle design and engineering, facility, and pad teams so that operations needs are in the design before changes become expensive Stand Up Vertical Operations Help shape the tooling, ground support equipment, and other installations in the new vertical integration facility, and help get them procured and installed Formalize the concept of operations in greater detail: how the nine-engine booster is finally assembled, how the second stage and payload are stacked vertically, and how the vehicle is prepared and launched Write the first draft of the work orders for final assembly of the booster and for all of the preparation needed to get the rocket to launch, and set the standard for high-quality, executable work orders (clear, sequenced, measurable, and completable by shift) so launch readiness is derived from objective data Take on operations scope for work at the new launch pad being built for this vehicle Lead Execution and Manage Risk Manage technical and schedule risk as the vehicle, the facility, and the tooling come together; when schedule slips, personally own and drive the recovery plan rather than simply reporting the slip Perpetuate a high-standard safety culture across all vehicle work, given the significant personnel, process, and material hazards involved Be willing to get on the ground with engineers and technicians to solve problems directly, at any hour, when the mission requires it Drive Cross-Functional Integration Serve as the primary point of contact between the operations teams and New Glenn vehicle design/engineering, facility, tooling, and pad leadership Partner with the business operations function (scheduling and operations analytics) to maintain an objective, data-driven view of remaining work and schedule risk Build the organization's own engineering ownership and judgment over time, reducing reliance on borrowed engineering support from other Blue Origin programs Build and Lead a High-Performing Organization Lead an initial team of about a dozen engineers, and grow it into the organization that staffs the vertical integration facility and builds and stacks the first 9x4 Build, mentor, and develop a bench of leaders and engineers in a fast-growing organization Take difficult, immature processes and mature them into fast, repeatable operations that don't require nightly heroics to execute Foster a culture where every technician and engineer is genuinely excited about Blue Origin's mission and understands the "why" behind the work Champion the use of AI to reduce engineering workload (including work-order authoring) and to accelerate the ramp of less experienced engineers Deliver Results Use your own data and numerical analysis to understand team performance, drive decisions, and communicate progress Set quantitative targets for the labor hours and calendar time to assemble, stack, and launch the 9x4, and shape the vehicle and the processes to meet them, so the vehicle supports a much higher launch cadence Present vehicle design, readiness, and risk to Blue Origin's most senior executive leadership, including with little to no coaching WHAT YOU BRING Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience building and leading complex vehicle or aircraft programs 7+ years of progressive leadership experience building, integrating, or maintaining complex vehicles, aircraft, or other high-reliability systems: aerospace, defense, marine, oil & gas, or similar heavy/complex-machine environments Experience representing operations, manufacturing, or production in design decisions, with a demonstrated track record of challenging engineering requirements and driving design changes to improve manufacturability or maintainability Leadership experience with budget and resource management responsibility for technical/operational organizations Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams, with the ability to grow a team and lead through subordinate managers A specific, demonstrated track record of driving measurable rate or throughput improvements in a complex manufacturing, assembly, or operations environment A demonstrated track record of building and perpetuating a high-standard safety culture in environments with significant personnel, process, or material hazards Demonstrated ability to make high-stakes technical and operational decisions under schedule pressure Strong executive presence with excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior executive leadership Strategic thinker with a bias for action and a track record of hands-on operational execution Preferred Qualifications Direct experience in final assembly, integration, or maintenance of military or civilian aircraft, weapons systems, or launch vehicles Experience with vertical assembly or stacking of large vehicles or structures, such as launch vehicles, or comparable heavy lifting and integration Experience standing up a new factory, production line, or facility, including shaping the tooling and the concept of operations Experience writing the first work instructions or work orders for a new vehicle or product A track record of taking a new vehicle, aircraft, or complex product from first-unit production to rate production Hands-on experience as an aircraft mechanic (or similar trade) and/or as a manufacturing engineer Working knowledge of aerospace standards and workmanship requirements Experience building or scaling an engineering/technical organization from a nascent, dependent state to self-sufficiency Master's degree in a related engineering field, or an MBA Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Export Control Regulations Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Background Check Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training. Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical Benefits Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program. Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week) Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details. Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here . Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.